LAKEPORT >> Lake County Attorney J. David Markham announced his candidacy for the position of Superior Court Judge, Department 4.
“For many years, Judge Stephen O. Hedstrom has provided the people of Lake County with integrity and professionalism from the bench. Now that he is retiring, I am seeking the Office of Lake County Superior Court Judge, Department 4, to continue his outstanding legacy of service to our communities,” said Markham.
Over the past 17 years, Markham has built an extensive record in the legal community, including service as a Lake County Deputy District Attorney (from 2001 to 2003); an Associate at the local law firm of Alvord and Ewing (from 2003 to 2004); and since 2004 as a sole practitioner in Lakeport.
“As a Superior Court Judge, I pledge to protect public safety while upholding the highest standards of fairness, integrity and justice in the courtroom” declared Markham. “I want crime victims to have their voices heard and make sure that those convicted of violent crimes receive a just punishment for their actions.”
He is certified by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization as a Criminal Law Specialist and he has championed legal defense for the needy through his law partnership, Lake Indigent Defense, LLP.
Markham comes from a tradition of Lake County public service. His father is a career law enforcement professional who retired from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department after 36 years of service, while his mother retired from the Konocti Unified School District. Markham grew up in the city of Clearlake and is a graduate of Lower Lake High School.
“I will bring a broad and balanced range of experience in criminal, family, civil and real estate law to our Superior Court,” continued Markham. “My extensive service as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney will help to ensure all parties receive a fair trial in criminal cases. And I will use my experience in the area of family law to provide a fair and just resolution for all concerned when Lake County families are involved in a legal dispute.”
He earned an Economics degree at the University of California at Davis and a Law Degree at Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa.
Markham serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Lake County campus of Woodland Community College, where he teaches Administration of Justice classes, including: Introduction to Criminal Justice; Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure; and Juvenile Law.
He also serves as Vice President of the Lake County Bar Association and Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of the Friends of Taylor Observatory. Additionally, he regularly volunteers as a judge at Lake County’s annual high school mock trial and academic decathlon competitions.
